Frankenstein Study Guide
*Know important quotes and be able to give them in context (i.e., tell me the speaker and what
is happening when the speaker says this)
*Know the type of work Frankenstein is (Gothic novel with hints of science fiction). While we
didn’t touch upon the Gothic within the novel, it would be wise to do a bit of preliminary
research on this. 
*Background to the novel—definitely review your notes on the Shelley PowerPoint.
*The meaning behind the novel’s title and subtitle
*Settings
*Characters:
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Victor Frankenstein
The Creature
Alphonse Frankenstein
Caroline Frankenstein
Elizabeth Lavenza
Henry Clerval
Robert Walton
Mary Walton Saville
Justine Moritz
William Frankenstein
De Lacey family
Professor Waldman
Professor Krempe
Mr. Kirwin
Madame Moritz
*Narrative Style—be able to define and illustrate the frame tale and the epistolary mode
*Plot—key points
*Themes—consider the following and how they play through the novel: the boundaries of
science; the duty to help the unfortunate; prejudice; loneliness; God and religion; society and its
effects up man.
*Character Irony—what is ironic about Victor Frankenstein? De Lacey? Justine Moritz?
Further Questions to Consider
1. When did Mary Shelley write "Frankenstein"? What were the circumstances?
2. "Frankenstein" is often described as a Gothic novel. What does that mean? How does the
novel fit into the atmosphere of terror and the grotesque?
3. How do epistles/letters figure into the plot of the novel?
4. How is suspense created in the novel? Is the suspense effective?
5. How effective is foreshadowing in the novel? Are you able to figure out what will happen
next?
6. Who are the major characters of "Frankenstein"? How do female characters figure into
the plot of the novel? Are they important? Which of the characters survive?
7. How does conflict figure into the plot? Is the conflict primarily intellectual, moral or
emotional?
8. What are the three storylines in the novel? How do they develop? Which characters are
involved in each storyline?
9. How does Mary Shelley reveal character in the novel? Do the characters
change/evolve/grow? Is the character development believable? Can the characters follow
any other path, other than the one the storyline takes them on?
10. Why does Mary Shelley write about Victor's childhood? Why is his early life important
to the plot? Is it?
11. How does the concept of hubris figure into the plot? Are the characters propelled by Fate,
or something much more psychological? Why?
12. What similarities and differences can you find between Faust and Victor Frankenstein?
13. Does the saying "like father, like son" apply to the relationship between Victor
Frankenstein and The Monster? How are they similar/different? How do they each
develop? How does their relationship change? Then, take a look at the relationship
between Victor and his father?
14. What symbols does Mary Shelley employ most effectively through the novel? How does
darkness play a part in the novel? When (and how) does the moon appear?
15. What do you see as the primary theme of the novel? Is it implicit or explicit?
16. Which character is the most sympathetic? What characteristics makes him/her
sympathetic? Why?
17. How does the idea of nature versus nurture figure into the plot? Why is nature important
to the novel?
18. Does setting play an important role in the novel? How is the final setting significant?
19. How would you describe Mary Shelley's style? Compare Mary Shelley's style with the
style of other writers of the Romantic period. How does her style compare?
20. How are the characters alienated from each other? What fits of sickness and madness
affect them?